Oil guarde pouring spout and funnel



I United States Patent James M. Fisher Rte. 01, Box 39, Kosciusko, Mississippi 39090 757,840 Sept. 6, 1968 Nov. 3, 1970 inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented OIL GUARD POURING SPOUT AND FUNNEL 14 Claims, 8' Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl...; 222/460, 222/5 70 Int. Cl. B65d 5/74- Field oi Search 222/5 5 i [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,545,350 3/1951 Fuld 222/460 2,905,364 9/1959 Marraffino 222/485X 3,144,964 8/1964 Goffet al 222/570X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tolberg Assistant Examiner-Norman L. Stack, Jr. Attorney-l S. Van Landingham, Jr.

ABSTRACT: A generally funnel shaped article for use in dispensing liquids from cylindrical containers having a seam construction around an end closure thereof which is larger in diameter than the adjacent cylindrical body portion. The seam construction provides an annular portion which projects outward past the wall of the container for use in attaching the internally grooved funnel-shaped article.

Patented Nov. 3, 1970 Sheet or 2 INVENTOR 35 JAMES M. FISHER ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 3, 1970 INVENTOR JAMES M. FISHER ATTORNEY Shoot OIL GUARD POURING SPOU'I AND FUNNEL This invention relates to a device for use in dispensing liquids from containers. In one of its more specific embodiments, the invention relates to a device for use in dispensing oil from oil containers.

Lubricating oils are sold by gasoline filling stations and other outlets in standard size containers having a definite capacity such as l, 4, or quarts. The containers are usually cylindrical in nature, and are sealed at either end with round flat metallic closures which are joined to the cylindrical body portion by means of a seam which extends outward past the cylindrical wall of the body of the container a short distance to thereby form an annular protrusion that issimilar to a thread. The cylindrical body of the container may be formed from thin metallic sheet similar to that used in the container ends, or it may be formed from a paper-metal foil laminate. In either instance, a generally cylindrical container body is provided which has metallic end portions and a seam joining the top metallic ends with the cylindrical body portion.

In a number of instances, thereis a need from time to time for very small quantities of lubricating oilfor use in internal combustion engines installed in lawnmovers and the like. Such uses require much less oil than is initially presentin the standard sealed container. In accordance with prior art practice, after punching openings in the metallic top of the sealed container, the required amount of lubricating oil was dispensed and the remainder was subjectto spillage and contamination by dust and other foreignmatter, as an effective guard for the open container was not available to preserve the unused oil. Also, there was no convenient way to dispense small quantities of oil from the opened container as a pouring spout was not attached to the container and immediately available for use. Additionally, a device was not available heretofore, which could be easily removed from the opened container and used as a funnel.

The present invention provides for the first'time an entirely satisfactory unitary device which performs three important functions, i.e., it is an oil guard, pouring spout and funnel. The device of the invention serves, to seal off the opened top of the oil container and prevents contamination; it is ready'for use as a pouring spou't for dispensing additional quantities of the unused oil, and it may be removed from the container and used as a funnel when this is desired.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for use in dispensing oil in any desired quantity from an oil container.

It is a further object to provide an improved oil guard for preserving and preventing spillage of unused oil from an opened oil container.

It is still a further object to provide an improved pouring spout which may be attached to an opened oil container, thereby allowing desired quantities of unused oil to be dispensed as needed intoa small internal combustion engine such as is employed in a lawn mower or the like.

It is still a further objectto provide an improved funnel which may be easily attached anddetached to a standard oil container.

Still'other'objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled, in the art upon reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in elevation illustrating the device of the invention in place on astandard oil container which is shown in phantom line in the interestsof clarity;

FIG. 2 isa view illustrating the device of theinvention attached to an oil container, wherein the device and a portion of the top of the container are shown in vertical cross section; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is anenlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating'the seal-made between the threaded portion of the device of the invention and the top seam of the oil container;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating in greater detail and clarity the threaded portion of the device of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating use of the device of the invention as a funnel; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a further variant of the invention in which a plurality of horizontal snap rings of increasing diameter are'substituted, for the threaded portion illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring now. to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 10 of the invention includes a generally funnel shaped hollow body 11 provided with opened upper and lower ends. The body 11 includes an upper portion which is a neck-like member 12 of relatively small diameter. through which oil to be dispensed is passed, a lower portion or boot 15 of relatively large diameter, and an intermediate portion 14 which flares outward as it extends downward and joins neck 12 to boot 15. Internally disposed threads 16 of increasing diameter as they extend downward are provided in the flared area of the intermediate portion 14, and the boot 15 has a snap ring 18 on its lower edge which embraces the side wall of container 24.

A brace 19, which is cross-like in cross section, extends longitudinally from the top of threads 16 to the outer end of neck 12, and transversely to the internal side wall of body 11 and is fused therewith. The brace 19 conforms with the side wall and divides the interior of body 11 into four longitudinally extending conduits 20-23 which extend the length of body II from the top of the threads 16 to the outer end of the neck 12. The arrangement allows two of the conduits 20-23 to pass oil from the container 24, and the remaining two conduits 20-23 are available for passing air into the container to thereby equalize the internal pressure and speed the transfer of the oil. For instance, when the device 10 is positioned on the container 24 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2 and two openings 25 and 26 are punched in the top 27, regardless of the relative position of the brace 19 with respect to the openings 25 and 26, no more than two of the conduits 20--23 will be filled with oil upon turning the container 24 and the device 10 at a 45 angle and pouring oil from opening 25. The remaining two of the conduits 20-23 are available for the passage of air into container 24 through the opening 26.

The body 11 is also ,provided with four external longitudinally extending ribs 28 which serve to hold the body 11 away from an annular opening in instances where the device 10 is used as a funnel, thereby allowing air to pass from the container into which the oil is being poured and equalize the pres sure. For instance, upon reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the device 10 is inverted and neck 12 is inserted into opening 29 in the device 30 to which oil is being supplied. The ribs 28 rest upon the edge of opening 29, thereby forming an annular space 31 which allows air to pass outward and thus equalize the pressure within device 30 as oil is poured therein.

The outer end of neck, 12 is provided with external threads 32. As is best seen in FIG. 2, an internally threaded cap 33 is screwed into position-on threads 32 and tightened to prevent the passage of dust, dirt and other contaminating matter into the interior of body 11 when unused oil in container 24 is to be stored. The cap 33 may be easily removed and the device 10 is then immediately ready for pouring a small quantity of oil from container 24 by tilting the same to an angle such as 45. If desired, the uncapped device 10 may be removed from the container 24, the opened neck 12 inserted into an opening 29 through which oil is to be, transferred, and oil is poured through the open bottom of body 11 as shown in FIG. 7.

' As is best seen in FIG. 6, the internal threads I6 extend over a substantial height of the flared portion 14 of body 11 and have a definite pitch. The threads 16 increase in effective diameter as they extend downward and will fit a number of cans having difiering diameters. For instance, the diameter of threads 16 may vary, from 3% at the top to 4%" at the bottom when the device 10 is manufactured for use with a standard 1 quart oil container. The threads 16 are provided with deleted areas 34 which aid in screwing the device 10 tightly into position on the container 24.

Art is best seen in FIG. 5. the container 24 is sealed at its upper end by annular top 21 which is Joined to the cylindrical wall 36 by the usual double seamed construction. This provides a thread-like annular protrusion 36 which extends outward past the cylindrical wall 35. For instance, the protrusion 36 may extend approximately one sixteenth to three sixteenth of an inch past the cylindrical wall 35, and it may have a height such that it fits tightly within the threads 16 so as to provide a tight seal and prevent oil from leaking down past the threads when the container 24 is returned to the upright position. in instances where the fit is not sufficiently tight, then an edge portion of the protrusion 36 is pushed upward through a deleted area 34 and into the next higher thread 16. The protrusion 36 is then screwed into position in this next higher thread so as to provide a tight fit. if desired, the deleted areas 34 may be provided on opposite sides of the threads 16.

H6. 8 illustrates a modified form 38 of the device of the invention. A series of spaced internal annular rings 37 are substituted for the threads 16 illustrated in FIG. 6, but the remaining elements of device 38 are the same as in device 10. For example, neck 41, flared intermediate portion d0, boot 39, threads 42, cap 43, brace 44 and ribs 45 of FIG. 8 are identical in construction and arrangement to neck 12, portion lid, boot 15, threads 16, cap 33, brace 19 and ribs 23, respectively, of H68. l-7. The annular rings 37 are of increasing diameter as the series of rings extends downward, thereby providing a series of snap rings of increasing size which may be inserted over the top of a container 24 until a ring of the correct size is reached. The modified device 38 is then snapped into position on the top of the container 24. by pushing downward, with the annular protrusion 35 fitting between adjacent rings 37 in a manner analogous to the threads 16. it is understood that the remaining elements and the operation of the device 38 are identical with device it) as only the annular rings 37 have been substituted for the threads 16. if desired, deleted areas may be formed in rings 37 (not shown in the interest of clarity) in a manner analogous to the deleted areas 34 in threads 16; however, this is not necessary as the snap-on" action is sufficient to assure a tight seal.

The device 10 is easily installed by inverting it over the container 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1, and then pushing downward on the neck 12 until the correct size thread 16 engages the protrusion 36. The brace 19 gives the flared portion 114 and neck 12 sufficient strength'to withstand a vigorous downward pushing action. The body lll is then screwed into position on protrusion 36 until it is sufficiently tight to produce an oil tight seal. in some instances, it is necessary to insert one side edge of the protrusion 36 through the deleted area 34 of the next higher or smaller thread, followed by screwing the protrusion 36 into position on the next higher thread and thereby tightening the same. The boot 15 extends downward from the lower end of thread 16 a distance sufficient to brace the upper portion of device 10 and provide stability, such as about 2" for a 1 quart container. Also, the boot 15 may be grasped with the hand when the container is tilted to a pouring position, thereby assuring that the bracing action is maximum in effect. The annular ring 18 acts as a splash guard when the device 10 is used as a funnel, as illustrated in FIG. 7, whereby splashing ofoil from the funnel shaped body 11 is prevented.

The device 10 may be made to fit any desired size of cylindrical container with annular end closures which are joined to the side wall by means of a double seamed construction so as to provide the protrusion 36. Also, any type of liquid such as antifreeze may be dispensed in accordance with the invention and it is understood that the invention is not limited to the dispensing of oil.

As is apparent from FIG. 2 of the drawings, the unused oil in container 24 is completely sealed off from contaminates in the surrounding environment and it may be stored indefinitely. Also, any oil remaining on the top 27 after dispensing a portion of the contents is prevented from running down the side walls of the container 24. in instances where the container 2 5 is tipped to one side or turned over during storage, the oil does not spill due to the oil tight seal at the protrusion 36 and cap 33. Additional portions of the oil may be dispensed by unscrewing the cup 33 and tilting the can using the neck B2 on n pouring spout. ll desired, the device it) may be easily detached from the container 2 3, the cap 33 removed, and the body 11 inverted and used asa funnel as shown in FIG. 7.

The device it) is preferably constructed of a light flexible plastic material such as polyethylene. However, other materials may be used such as light sheet metal, tinplate, and the like.

The foregoing detailed description and the accompanying illustrative drawings are for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended to be limiting to the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An article for use in dispensing liquids from cylindrical containers having a seam construction around an end closure thereof which is larger in diameter than the adjacent cylindrh cal body portion to thereby provide an annular seam which projects outward past the wall of the cylindrical container comprising a generally funnel shaped hollow body, the body including a downwardly flared intermediate body portion which increases in internal diameter as it extends downward, a

neck-like body portion which extends upward from the top of the intermediate body portion, the neck portion being open at its outer end and having a relatively small diameter whereby it serves as a spout through which liquid to be dispensed is passed, and a lower body portion extending downward from the bottom of the intermediate body portion, the lower body portion having an internal diameter of a size to receive the top of a cylindrical container having said annular seam and being open at its outer end whereby the cylindrical container may be inserted into the lower body portion, the internal surface of the downwardly flared intermediate body portion having an annular internally grooved area with spaced annular threadlilte grooves of varying diameters, the thread-like grooves being of a size and diameter to receive'the said annular seam of cylindrical containers of varying diameters, and the lower body portion extending downward from the bottom of the intermediate body portion and beneath the said grooves therein a substantial distance sufticient to brace said neck-like body portion and said intermediate body portion, said lower body portion having a projecting container contacting means adjacent the terminal portion thereof remote from said intermediate body portion.

2. The article of claim 1 wherein a brace is positioned within the intermediate and neck-like body portions, the brace dividing the internal volume thereof into a plurality of separate passages for fluids.

3. The article of claim 1 wherein the outer end of the necklike body portion is provided with a closure, the said closure being readily removable and replaceable and capable of preventing contaminants from entering the neck-like body portion.

4. The article of claim 1 wherein the outer end of the lower body portion is provided with a snap ring which conforms to the cylindrical side wall of a cylindrical container inserted therein.

5. The article of claim 1 wherein the said grooves are interrupted at least once every 360 whereby deleted areas are formedtlterein at least once each revolution, the deleted areas being of a length to receive an edge portion of the said annular seam of a cylindrical container.

6. The article of claim 1 wherein the said grooves have no pitch and are a series of spaced snap rings of varying diameter.

7. The article ofclaim 1 wherein the said grooves have pitch and are threads.

8. The article of claim 7 wherein the threads are interrupted at least once every 360 whereby deleted areas are formed therein at least once each revolution, the deleted areas being of a length to receive an edge portion of the said annular seam of a cylindrical container.

9. The article of claim 7 wherein a brace is positioned within the intermediate and neck-like body portions, the brace dividing the internal volume thereof into at least three separate passages for fluids.

10. The article of claim 7 wherein the funnel shaped hollow body is formed of plastic, and the outer end of the lower body portion is provided with a snap ringwhich conforms to the cylindrical side wall of a cylindrical container inserted therein.

11. The article of claim 7 wherein the funnel shaped hollow body is formed of a flexible resilient plastic material, a brace is positioned within the intermediate and neck-like body portions to strengthen the same, the brace dividing the internal volume thereof into at least three separate passages for fluids, and the threads are interrupted at least once every 360 whereby deleted areas are formed therein at least once each revolution, the deleted areas being of a length to receive an edge portion of the said annular seam of a cylindrical container.

12. The article of claim 11 wherein the outer end of the lower body portion is provided with a snap ring which conforms to the cylindrical side wall of a cylindrical container inserted therein.

13. The article of claim 12 wherein the outer end of the neck-like portion is threaded and a threaded cap is screwed into position thereon whereby contaminants are prevented from entering the neck-like body portion.

14. The article of claim 13 wherein a plurality of circumferentially spaced rib-like longitudinal protrusions are provided on the intermediate and neck-like body portions. 

